STURGIS, S.D. (AP) - The city of Sturgis is buying 62 acres of land in a state hunting preserve for possible use as a municipal park or recreation area.

With residential development encroaching on the area, hunting has become a safety concern on that section of the nearly 600-acre Marcotte Game Production Area.

The Sturgis City Council voted unanimously last month to make a 10 percent down payment of just under $61,000 to the South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Department. The total purchase price will be about $620,000, to be paid off over the next three years.